New lights use less energy & perform better

January 24, 2013

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), an Alliant Energy company, is expanding its advanced street lighting technology project state-wide by upgrading its streetlights to increase energy-efficiency and performance with light-emitting-diode (LED) fixtures. This improved technology saves energy and improves the lighting quality on roads.

The vast majority of streetlights in Alliant Energy communities across Iowa are high-pressure sodium (HPS). Most of these lights feature a 100-watt bulb. As these lights fail, Alliant Energy will replace the HPS fixture with an 80-watt LED fixture. Alliant Energy owns or maintains around 44,000 of these specific streetlights in its Iowa service territory, and expects the change-out process to take around seven years. IPL already successfully implemented this project pilot in the Cedar Rapids community in the summer of 2012.

"We are excited to bring this new energy-efficient technology to our communities in Iowa. This is a win-win for our customers because this upgrade will increase both the energy-efficiency of the lights and it will enhance the quality of light on the streets," said Tom Aller, President - IPL.

Initial estimates show switching this specific light, when all are switched, will reduce annual energy usage in the state by almost nine million kilowatt-hours (kWh). For comparison, the average Iowa home used 10,776 kWh a year according to the Energy Information Administration's latest information 2011.

The light produced by LED streetlights is directed at the ground better than the HPS. The LED also produces a truer white light, allowing the human eye to see colors and details better.

Residents are reminded to report streetlights that are not working properly. Reports can be made online at alliantenergy.com/streetlights, or by calling 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268) .